The month of April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The State of Texas is working tirelessly to take preventative steps against sexual assault. One of the best ways to prevent it is by discussing it which raises awareness. Sexual assault is the most under-reported crime, so we all must work together to raise awareness, not only during April, but throughout the year.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an annual national campaign that works to educate communities on prevention as well as raise awareness. There are many steps parents and students can take to help prevent sexual assault such as understanding what consent looks like and knowing how to respond if someone is pressuring you. Sexual Assault Awareness Month helps educate communities all over Texas on personal safety and sexual assault prevention. Raising awareness of sexual assault is a key step in prevention, so it is important to communicate the warning signs and prevention steps. It is imperative to educate our youth and not be afraid to discuss sexual assault and its consequences. To learn more about steps to prevent sexual assault please visit RAINN Safety and Prevention.
Sexual assault can happen to anyone, which is why it is so important to look out for your friends, speak up about sexual violence, and take steps to increase personal safety. Learning the warning signs of sexual assault is also crucial to helping someone who has gone through this traumatic event, especially because it is not always obvious when someone has experienced sexual assault. There are several types of warning signs depending on the age of the survivor. To learn more about the warning signs of sexual assault, visit RAIMM Warning Signs.
Texas is committed to preventing sexual assault as well as raising awareness. We are continuously working hard to not only raise awareness but prevent and lower the number of sexual assault attacks. Texas provides an abundance of resources for information on sexual assault awareness and prevention. For more information on Texas sexual assault statistics, please visit Hope Alliance.
In addition to participating in the national campaign to raise awareness of sexual assault, Texas asks rape crisis centers, colleges and universities, and communities to join the Texas Association Sexual Assault’s (TAASA) sexual assault awareness initiative that is designed to raise awareness and promote prevention-based actions across Texas. TAASA launched its Turn Texas Teal initiative, which encourages sharing campaigns across social media, to amplify survivor stories and calls to action. The Turn Texas Teal initiative helps people speak out against sexual assault and share their stories and strengths. It also creates a way for people to collectively work together on ways to end sexual assault. For more on how you can help #TurnTexasTeal this month, please visit Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month.
Additionally, an organization called The Purple Door is a great resource in the Coastal Bend for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. The Purple Door provides free services to adults and youths which include counseling, legal advocacy, case management, support groups, and a shelter crisis hotline. They service the following counties: Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio. To learn more about The Purple Door. Along with this, their 24-hour crisis hotline is 361.881.8888.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.
